A review of yesterday's action in Essex County Boys Basketball and a look ahead to today's schedule.

Merrill Steps Up for Newark Tech
Newark Tech coach Joe Johnson didn't know if he would have standout guard Dwayne Merrill available on Thursday night against Seton Hall Prep.

A bad case of the flu had kept Merill out of practice the previous two days and even as Merrill warmed up before the game, Johnson still had concerns about what condition Merrill would be in.

Not only would Merrill be fine, he would be dominant. He finished with 16 points, 10 blocks and eight rebounds as Newark Tech defeated Seton Hall Prep, No. 6 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, 58-51 in Newark.

The play of Merrill, Tyree Sykes (10 points, 14 rebounds) and Rakwan Kelly (nine points, 10 rebounds) proved to be enough to hold off a brilliant performance from Seton Hall Prep's Spencer Weisz. Weisz, a Princeton commit, had 23 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.

West Orange Gets on Track
West Orange will be the first to admit it hasn't exactly been a smooth start to the season. Thursday provided a glimpse into what the team is capable of as West Orange used a big second half to defeat East Orange 72-51.